Our amazing team has had a busy year telling our story and listening. Building offshore wind (OSW) is a massive undertaking, with no shortage of challenges. But we know there’s no serious plan for decarbonization without it. A few observations after a year or so on the job: -There’s no “silver bullet” for good outreach. You’ll rarely get a moment where you know you have succeeded. You just keep at it. That’s our team’s mantra. -OSW, and the clean energy industry in general, shouldn't take for granted that people understand and want it. Like anything that’s new, it takes time for people to accept it. There’s an amazing opportunity, right now, for the OSW industry in the US to make an even bigger pitch to the public. As PPAs are won I think the hyper competitive nature that may be a hindrance to this will dissipate. -Expectations are quite high for offshore wind, deservedly so. It truly is a once in a generation opportunity to both clean up the grid and create jobs. Commitments from each project must be tangible, credible, and transparent in reporting. Building trust takes years but can be lost in an instant. -While misinformation and NIMBYism comes with the territory, it’s often a loud minority with a personal/economic interest (often funded by incumbent industries). We shouldn’t let the haters stop the march of progress. -Besides humility, we pride ourselves on creativity. We’re being creative in finding solutions to reach across the table and find common ground. There’s always something to offer and our team has been thought leaders in this space, designing programs tailored to certain needs that may be able to break through initial and/or legacy opposition. -Building a coalition for a project is really hard work but necessary work, now more than ever. As we say a lot, we can’t do this alone. At the same time, we’ve also heard in our conversations, no one tells our story better than us. That especially goes for the “subject matter experts”, such as the scientists, engineers, and others on the team, who have given their life’s work to an issue. They can be your best ambassadors and storytellers. -Youth are a real bright spot for inspiration which we’ve learned from some amazing classroom visits. There’s no silly arguing about climate change — they want to know what the job is and how they can learn to do it. Kudos to our team for focusing on the next generation of leaders and identifying ways we as a project can empower them. Hat tip to the team! Jeff Lee Romero, Sarah Dougherty, Jamie Matos Grant, Lia Y., Sophie Lee, Wesley Jacobs Mark Weprin Ryan Martini
Our approach to developing the Leading Light Wind project is rooted in partnership, listening, and incorporating feedback. As the year concludes, we're proud to look back on the achievements made with our community, furthering an equitable clean energy transition on the East Coast.
Well said, Mike! Looking forward to continuing this great work in 2024!!!
Always a pleasure working with the Leading Light Wind crew and props to Mike and Wes for building such a great team. Exciting times ahead!
Vice President, Offshore Wind Development
8moAll these Porto-isms gathered in one place, how great! Congrats on an amazing 2023 and here’s to our continued progress in 2024. It’s an honor working with you and your team!